BOSTON \u2014 This Boston Bruins game had a very different outcome than their last meaningful battle at TD Garden.<\/p>\n
The Bruins disposed of the New Jersey Devils 3-0 in their home-opener, improving to 4-1-0 on the season.<\/p>\n
Not too bad for a team that was projected by many to start slow.<\/p>\n
From the play in net, to the play of the Bruins’ top offensive guns, to the penalty kill, a lot of things stood out in the B\u2019s first home win of the season.<\/p>\n
As lopsided as the score may seem, the Devils were the much better team in the second period. They outshot the B\u2019s 16-9 in the frame and applied constant pressure.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=CGldGwuytbk<\/p>\n
The Devils consistently made chances out of the B\u2019s sloppiness in their own end.<\/p>\n
But there was Tuukka Rask to bail out his squad.<\/p>\n
“We had some moments where we could’ve been better,” said Bruce Cassidy. “We’re still working on our game like every other team and that’s where Tuukka [Rask] really stepped up and that’s when he should get the credit. In a game like this, I thought that’s when he earned his paycheck tonight, was, we broke down a lot there.”<\/p>\n
There weren\u2019t a ton of highlight-reel saves for No. 40, but his consistency and rebound control in between the pipes was of note.<\/p>\n
Rask finished with the 31-save shutout.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2qfQEdpZBx8<\/p>\n
Remember when Rask had to be carried off the ice at the end of the game in Vegas? Well, Rask was clearly hydrated and there was no such thing at the conclusion of Saturday night\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
This line was knocked down a few pegs during last year’s Stanley Cup Final when they were outplayed by the St. Louis Blues. Through the first four games of the 2019-20 campaign, the “perfection line” has been a main catalyst for the Bruins’ offensive game.<\/p>\n
On Saturday night, they were elite.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, I think the first couple [games] were a little sloppy,” said Brad Marchand of the team’s performance through five games. “But we\u2019re starting to figure it out a little bit right now and kind of get back in sync. A little bit of a different training camp \u2014 a different feel. We all didn\u2019t play as many games as we normally do so there\u2019s going to be a little bit of rust there. But yeah, I think we\u2019re feeling good now. It helps when you win and luckily we\u2019ve been able to do that a bit.”<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=a0jfdvdnqzg<\/p>\n
Marchand recorded the game\u2019s opening goal and then assisted on Patrice Bergeron\u2019s power play lamp-lighter to make it 3-0 in the second period.<\/p>\n
Boston\u2019s top line started the game and set the tone right from the drop of the puck, pinning the Devils in their own zone for much of the first two minutes. That would be how most of the opening 20 minutes of the game would play out and that\u2019s when the Bruins scored two of their goals.<\/p>\n
Marchand eluded to something unique when asked after the win what steps he’s looking to take with his offensive game.<\/p>\n
“Not really concerned with my offensive game,” said Marchand. “It’s more about trying to be a better detail player. I think that’s something I can improve on from last year.”<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rnLcAv9weKA<\/p>\n
Those little details proved to be huge in Saturday night\u2019s win for the Bruins. Marchand didn\u2019t just make a large impact on the scoresheet \u2014 his presence was felt most on the penalty kill.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s common knowledge that Marchand has the most shorthanded goals in Bruins history with 26, so he\u2019s not a rookie to being a man down.<\/p>\n
\nBrad Marchand & Patrice Bergeron killing penalties.<\/p>\n
That's it \u2014 that's the tweet. pic.twitter.com\/GX5dFV52XB<\/a><\/p>\n
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) October 13, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n